Established in 1944, One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS) is a national organisation which works with and on behalf of one parent families throughout Scotland.
Our vision is of a Scotland in which single parents and their children are valued and treated equally and fairly.
Below you will discover the history of OPFS from its inception in 1940 of the Scottish Committee for the unmarried mother and her child, to its current form working across many areas of Scotland and looking to the future emboldened by a digital transformation.
OPFS timeline
Conference and Formation of the Scottish Committee for the Unmarried Mother and her Child
Baby homes had closed during WW2 and many foster parents were becoming increasingly unwilling to take responsibility for other people’s children. A conference for social workers and other professionals, arranged by the ‘Scottish Advisory Committee of the National Council of Social Services’ (now SCVO), was called to discuss the urgent need for accommodation.
The conference deemed that it would be valuable for voluntary organisations and professionals to continue to co-operate, and formed the Scottish Committee for the Unmarried Mother and her Child. The Committee gradually became a federation of organisations and individuals concerned with this branch of social work in Scotland.
Joining with the National Council
The Scottish Committee made an approach to join with the National Council for the Unmarried Mother & her Child (NCUMC) in England, who had been working with unmarried mothers and their children since the First World War. The Scottish Committee then became ‘The Scottish Committee of the National Council for the Unmarried Mother and her Child’, headquartered in London.
Publication of first Pamphlet
A pamphlet called “Another Man’s Child”, written by committee member Anne Ashley, was published.
Formation of the Scottish Council
Although the close relationship was initially valuable, since Scots law and administration were so different, it was decided it would be better for the Committee to formally separate. With the National Council’s agreement, at a meeting that was held in the City Chambers in Edinburgh on 28 May 1945, with the Under Secretary of State for Scotland present, the independent organisation held its first annual meeting. The Scottish Committee became the Scottish Council for the Unmarried Mother and her Child.
Election of Statutory Bodies to the Council
At its formation, no statutory agencies were invited to join the Council. However in 1946, this decision was reversed and five Medical Officers of Health were elected onto the Council.
The Council’s First Office
The Council moved into its first office, renting space from the National Council for Women at 22 Stafford Street, Edinburgh. They also purchased a typewriter and filing cabinet.
Appeal for the SCUMC on the BBC
Edinburgh born actor Alastair Sim presents an edition of the BBCs “Week’s Good Cause” appeal on behalf of SCUMC.
Financial Support
In late 1956, the treasurer’s report stated that the Council’s balance sat at just over £30, and permission was given to apply for an overdraft of up to £100. An Extraordinary Council meeting was called in January 1957 to review the work of the Council and to consider its future “in view of the financial position, which was disturbing”. With extra funds and a slight increase in ‘affiliation fees’, the financial situation improved and the work continued.
Increase in Requests for Help
In 1950 the Council received 33 requests for help from unmarried mothers. By 1952 the number of requests had increased to 98, and in 1958 it reached 176. To cope with this increase, the secretary took a 50% pay cut, which allowed the Council to hire an assistant.
Input into new Legislation
Two of the Council’s recommendations concerning the registration of “illegitimate births” were incorporated into the new Birth, Marriage & Death Registration Act.
First Director of the Council
Julie-Ann Macqueen was appointed as the first Director of the Council.
Julie-Ann Macqueen Awarded an OBE
Julie-Ann Macqueen, first Director of SCSP, was awarded an OBE.
Formation of the Walpole Housing Association
The first tenant moved in to accommodation provided by the Council. Using the legacy left by former Chair of the Council Dr Dorothea Walpole, a housing Association was established, named in her honour. The Walpole Housing Association consisted of a house at 6 Craigpark, Glasgow, which had seven self-contained furnished ‘flatlets’. Each one had its own cooking facilities and sink as well as a separate metered electricity supply, bathrooms were shared. The house also contained a flat with its own kitchenette and bathroom for a Warden, who was resident, and offered support to the families as well as being responsible for the house.
Donation from University of St Andrews Students’ Union
The annual report stated that the Capital Reserves had “greatly benefited from the activities of St. Andrew’s”. The university’s Students’ Union had donated £130 in profits from their ‘contraceptive vending machine’.
Change of Name to the Scottish Council for Single Parents
The term ‘unmarried mother’ had become out-dated, the number of separated and divorced parents was growing, and there was increasing stigma around the figure of the single mother. The decision was made to change the name of the Council and the SCUMC became the Scottish Council for Single Parents (SCSP). This also coincided with the change of name of the National Council to the National Council for One Parent Families.
Edinburgh Sitters Project Established
The Edinburgh Sitters project, now known as Firsthand Lothian, was established.
Expansion in Glasgow and Dundee
Work in Glasgow expanded with The Play Project, which provided crèche services throughout Glasgow, as well as parent evenings.
The Tayside Project (later the 101 Project) was established in Dundee with a drop-in centre on the City’s Whitfield estate, an area where 1 in 3 households with children was headed by a single parent.
Expansion of Staff Numbers
Having had only seven members of staff in 1980, the SCSP employed over forty staff in 1985.
Registered Company Status
On 1 April 1986, the organisation became a registered company limited by guarantee, and a new constitution was adopted.
Strathclyde Project Separates from SCSP
The Strathclyde Project separated from SCSP and became “OnePlus: One Parent Families Strathclyde”.
Family Centre Established in Falkirk
SCSP set up a Family Centre in Maddiston, near Falkirk (now Braes Children & Family Centre), with funding from Urban Aid.
Sue Robertson appointed Director
Julie-Ann Macqueen retired and her successor, former Training Officer Sue Robertson, was appointed Director.
New OPFS Logo
SCSP unveiled a new logo which would “combat the stereotype of single parents as single mothers” and “give us a more approachable image”.
One Parent Families Scotland
Stigma towards single parents remained a challenge for the organisation. Reflecting the climate of the time, the organisation changed its name to One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS).
Launch of Website
OPFS launched its first website, in response to growing numbers of enquiries.
Dundee Sitters Established
Dundee Sitters (now Flexible Childcare Services Dundee) established.
Edinburgh Lone Fathers Project Launched
The Edinburgh Lone Fathers Project was launched, in partnership with Gilmerton Child & Family Centre.
Launch of Lone Parent Helpline
The Lone Parent Helpline was launched as the Information service expanded.
Expansion of Childcare@Home Service
Childcare@home services were expanded into North Lanarkshire.
Family Support Project Launched
A new Family Support project was set up in Dundee, providing outreach work to families with little-to-no services.
Founding Member of Parenting Across Scotland
OPFS was a founding member of Parenting Across Scotland (PAS), a partnership of charities offering support to children and families through the partners’ helplines.
Expansion of Childcare@Home Service
The Childcare@Home service was expanded into Aberdeenshire.
Lone Parent Helpline becomes Freephone
The Lone Parent Helpline added a freephone number for the first time.
OPFS Joins Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform
Alongside the Child Poverty Action Group, The Poverty Alliance and others, OPFS entered the Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform (SCoWR), a coalition of charities established to highlight concerns about the UK government’s welfare proposals.
Choices Service Established
The Choices: OPFS West of Scotland service was established in Glasgow.
OPFS Lanarkshire service established
Satwat Rehman appointed Director
Sue Robertson retired, with Satwat Rehman succeeding her as Director.
Awarded STV Appeal Funding
STV Appeal funding helped develop family support work at Braes, the young lone parent pathway and peer mentoring in Lanarkshire. Over the next two years, the peer mentoring work was also introduced across other OPFS services.
Expansion of Services in Dundee
Services in Dundee expanded with additional daycare provision and family support at Families House.
Changes to Funding
Funding was lost for childcare services in Renfrewshire and later North Lanarkshire, but expanded and diversified in Dundee and Aberdeenshire – supporting out of school childcare services and providing specialist services for children with disabilities.
Expansion of Services for Single Fathers
Funding from the Early Years Early Action Fund allowed OPFS to develop services for single and contact dads in Dundee and Falkirk. This was extended to Lanarkshire with support from the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund.
Growth of the Organisation
With annual revenue in excess of £2.8m, OPFS became an accredited Living Wage Employer. The organisation received 2,848 helpline enquiries and directly supported 2,062 families through group and individual support.
Tackling Money Worries
Tackling Money Worries – a partnership between OPFS and Shelter Scotland – was launched.
STV grant enables re-structure of Falkirk services
In 2017, STV awarded us 2 years extra funding which enabled us to restructure our service to include benefits advice, serving healthy family meals and offering activities at Family, Food and Fun, setting up community groups, emergency store and clothing bank.
30th Anniversary of OPFS services in Maddiston, Falkirk
OPFS establish Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visit to our Glasgow service
OPFS moving forward
In 2020 OPFS will launch its new website. As part of its digital transformation the new website will aim to deliver a more engaging and accurate service online by answering the questions single parents are asking.
Our new website will go live early 2020